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[img]http://s2.postimg.org/jlokk3fsp/RTJLuke_copy.png[/img]

[i]"Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob. Never before in all our history have these forces been so united against one candidate as they stand today. They are unanimous in their hate for me. And I welcome their hatred."[/i]
-- Franklin D. Roosevelt
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[b]Harlem Hosptial Center[/b]


Luke sipped lukewarm coffee from a paper cup. David Kincaid, Thomas Drayton's campaign manager, sat beside him with his own cup. The two men were in a small waiting room off to the side of the hospital's ICU section. Kincaid had cleaned the blood from his glasses, but he still wore the torn clothes from the bombing.

"Most people took it as a joke," Kincaid said between sips of coffee. "Thomas running for mayor. A community activist from Harlem running with almost no political base. He got skunked in the democratic primary and decided to go independent."

"I've known Tommy a long time. He's stubborn."

Luke didn't think Tommy's run for mayor as a joke or a pipedream. When it seemed like a lot of people didn't care about Harlem, Tommy Drayton did. The man was always doing something for the people of Harlem through fundraisers, community meetings, and food drives. He talked the talk and walked the walk. It made Cage admire and respect the hell out of him for being able to make a difference.

"Well, the last poll numbers indicate that it's paying off. He's five points behind Don Robinson, the Republican candidate, and twenty behind Democratic candidate Ted Brown. There's still a lot of ground to cover between now and then, but I know for sure we can pass Robinson and at least make it a fight with Brown."

"I was about to ask about enemies," Luke said after he finished off his coffee. "But I have a feeling the list would be too long to name."

"Heh. Anyone in this city with something to lose is against us. Wall Street, NYPD, both parties... but now it looks like Republicans are rooting for us because we steal away from Brown's base. Everyone else though..."

The door to the waiting room pushed open. Tommy Drayton came in. His shirt sleeves were rolled up and his shirt was singed and spattered with blood. He looked tired. His whole body seemed to sag when he saw Luke and Kincaid. Luke stood and embraced the smaller man in a large hug.

"I'm glad you're here, Luke."

"Nowhere else I'd be, brother."

"How bad is it, sir?" Kincaid asked.

"Vernon is going to lose his leg," Drayton said as he pulled away from Luke. "Denny was in the driver's seat of the car when the bomb went off. He died as soon as it blew up. He's the only one who died. Vernon is going to stay in ICU for at least a few more days. Everyone else is going to be okay."

"Where do you need me, Tommy?" Cage asked Drayton. "Bodyguard work? I'll be your shadow."

"No," Drayton said with a shake of his head. "Detective work. The FBI and NYPD are looking into who blew up that car, but I don't trust them. They work for people who want to see this campaign fail. I need outside help, someone who can go places cops can't. What I need, is a hero."

"Shit," Cage said under his breath. "Looks like you just hired one."